Will Egypt replace Morocco as a major citrus exporter?

Published Nov 30, 2023

Tridge summary

Morocco's orange exports have significantly declined due to climate change, water scarcity, and increased global competition, particularly from Egypt and South Africa. The decline has led to a reduction in export destinations and local farmers abandoning orange cultivation for more profitable crops. While the World Citrus Organization forecasts a recovery in citrus production and demand, the future of Morocco's citrus industry remains uncertain, highlighting the need for adaptation to climate change and rethinking agricultural strategies. In contrast, Egyptian exporters, despite facing increasing production costs, aim to maintain competitive prices and focus on improving fruit quality to satisfy customer needs.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

The significant decline in orange exports from Morocco is no longer in doubt. Several factors contribute to this major crisis in the Moroccan citrus sector. First, climate change and water scarcity have had a devastating impact, with record temperatures in August hurting yields and reducing production and harvest area. This trend is not exclusive to Morocco, as other major global producers, such as Spain, Italy and the United States, also face extreme weather conditions. As Morocco faces the effects of climate, global competition is intensifying. Players such as Egypt and South Africa are seeing record levels of exports, with Egyptian oranges gaining ground in markets once dominated by Moroccan produce. Egyptian competition, predicted a decade ago, has become a reality, reversing the curves and relegating Morocco to non-dominant status in the market. The geography of Moroccan exports is shrinking, from 54 countries in 2022 to just 44 in 2023. Major importers, such as the ...

Source: Agrimaroc